My aim is to show that those governments that violate the rights of people by invoking the name of Islam have been misusing Islam.

When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp. The funny thing is that human rights activists and Mr. Bush can never be situated in the same group.

No American soldier should be allowed to set foot on Iranian soil, regardless of the criticism we have of the Iranian government.

We must not enable anyone to impose his personal view regarding religion on others by force, oppression, or pressure.

My aim is to show that those governments that violate the rights of people by invoking the name of Islam have been misusing Islam.

The idea of cultural relativism is nothing but an excuse to violate human rights.

Women are the victims of this patriarchal culture, but they are also its carriers. Let us keep in mind that every oppressive man was raised in the confines of his mother's home.

What is important is that one utilizes one's intellect and not to be 100 percent sure about one's convictions. One should always leave room for doubt.

When a person is humiliated, when his rights are being violated, and he does not have the proper education, naturally he gravitates toward terrorism.

Human rights is a universal standard. It is a component of every religion and every civilization.

How can you defy fear? Fear is a human instinct, just like hunger. Whether you like it or not, you become hungry. Similarly with fear. But I have learned to train myself to live with this fear.

I hope the example of Saddam Hussein will give a lesson to leaders of other countries where human rights are not respected.

Lawyers have a dangerous job in Iran.

Sadly the job security of lawyers has been ruined, so they are less willing to defend political defendants.

Lawyers should not be charged with the same crimes as their clients. Trials related to political charges are not in accordance with human rights.

The condition of women in Islamic societies as a whole is also far from desirable. However, we should acknowledge that there are differences. In certain countries, the conditions are much better and in others much worse.

I maintain that nothing useful and lasting can emerge from violence.

The Iranian government intends to use the nuclear program for peaceful purposes, but must convince international public opinion of that.

Democracy doesn't recognize east or west; democracy is simply people's will. Therefore, I do not acknowledge that there are various models of democracy; there is just democracy itself.

Because of our youthful population, we suffer from unemployment in Iran. We need more universities and more job opportunities for the young.

The international community can't trust such a government. If the government of Iran wants the international community to believe in what it says, it should try to bring true, pure democracy into the country. The political solution to the energy issue or the nuclear case is democracy in Iran.

The younger generation is essentially idealistic. This applies to the Iranian youth as well. In addition, the youth in Iran face certain difficulties... the Iranian youth need more freedom. They are struggling for more freedom and democracy. This commands great respect.

Usually, in any revolution people are focused on who wants to have the most power. But the most important thing is the laws that are written during that time.

We shouldn't just consider the desire of government to do what it wants to do. We should always consider the resistance of people. The culture of Iranian people doesn't let the government drag people into deep trouble or backlash. Maybe government wants it, but the culture doesn't let it go on.

When you vote, vote for those who are not warmongers, and vote for those who respect human rights. When you see a president who doesn't respect human rights, don't vote for that person.

The Prophet defeated the enemies of Islam even when he and his followers were small in number.

Come forward as servants of Islam, organise the people economically, socially, educationally and politically and I am sure that you will be a power that will be accepted by everybody.

Practically the only way to dry the swamp of radical Islam is through economic development and an improved standard of living.

We'll surely stop the work of all western Christian and eastern religions, and also Islam.

The enemy is not Islam, the great world faith, but a perversion of Islam.

It is not right to associate the fight against international terrorist networks with an imaginary crusade against Islam.

My aim is to show that those governments that violate the rights of people by invoking the name of Islam have been misusing Islam.

I am totally against the idea that a Muslim woman should not have the same opportunities as a Muslim man to learn, to open up, to work, help shape the future. To close Islam down to a sexist approach is totally intolerable and ridiculous. It's not Islam.

Let me say this loud and clear. There is a world of difference between terrorist acts and the Islamic Shari'a. Islam is not only a religion, but a way of life. And at its heart lie the sacred principles of tolerance and dialogue.

Because Islam in its original form was tough and hard, not weak and pliable.

Reject racial or religious hate. Embrace moderate Islam.

As a result of that, America desires a moderate Islam; an Islam that America can control; an Islam that America can give direction to and give orders to its leaders.

Islam is perfect, there is nothing to be added or changed.

Mohammed was not an apparent failure. He was a dazzling success, politically as well as spiritually, and Islam went from strength to strength to strength.

But when I reintroduced the Nation of Islam, and began to host meetings in cities and thousands and thousands of people come out.

They do not understand Islam, and I think that is one area where perhaps I hope one day I will play a role in actually making people understand what we perceive Islam to be.

I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and peace.

The United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam.

It is not necessary to dwell on the political and social principles of Islam, to underline how close they also are in spirit to the concepts of human rights which govern the political and social systems of the West.

I suppose that the media and their portrayal of Islam and the almost tribal separations and divisions of the Muslims are the greatest issues confronting Muslims in the United Kingdom.

The contribution of Islam to history and modern civilization is the product of the efforts of peoples of many races and tongues which came to accept its way of life.

There is a group of individuals who are radical jihadists. We need to call them by name. They believe it is OK to kill people in the name of their religion. It is not all of Islam. It is not all Muslims. But there is a subgroup who believe it is OK. In fact, it is their plan and design to kill people.

The revival of Islam dates from the early years of the 20th century. It was brought about by their humiliation, by their sense of how low they'd fallen compared with the West.

Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a bit more about Islam.